Bahamas - Renewable energy, the way of the future

A new technology company – Advanced Energy System Ltd. – is riding on the wave of improved ways to harness electricity produced by the elements. The company is marketing cooling and heating systems that could save consumers as much 20 to 80 percent on their monthly electric bills. "Renewable energy," says Larry Keith, a partner in the company, "is not new, but a technology that has advanced rapidly over the past 10 years as supply and demand have dictated. "These same demands for clean renewable energy have made it affordable," he adds.

Solar powered air conditioning, hot water heating, street lighting are just a few of the applications that can be utilized. With eight hours a day of natural sunlight, we are in an ideal environment for solar applications. Says Keith, "Air conditioning represents 50 to 60 percent of most power bills, and with the high cost of power, it makes sense to go solar. "Hot water heating can contribute up to 35 percent of your electric bill. With roof-mounted system, the sun heats the water in excess of 140 degrees, providing an ample supply of hot water.

"Yet we’re ignoring two of the biggest God-given things available to us - the wind and sun." Keith, an electrical engineer, says solar power can easily be adapted for street lighting. The average streetlight uses 400 watts of power, spaced ever 100 feet in a country the size of The Bahamas.

This could translate into million of dollars. Solar street lighting has a 25 to 35 year life expectancy that would not only save money, but free up much needed power for a fast expanding country. Wind generators are fast becoming an alternative source of power in many countries. For example, in Scotland, 80 wind generators set in the ocean supply power for 150,000 homes. Off the coast of Texas, thousands of acres have been reserved for a wind farm estimated to generate $20 million annually for the public school system of Texas.

In The Bahamas, there is an abundance of sun and wind. Keith feels that solar and wind power could have a positive effect on the country’s dependence on foreign oil imports. "We could go out and create solar farms…and the best place to start to do this is the Family Islands," he says. "We don’t have to erect new buildings for this…everything is prefabricated. You just run the lines from the wind generators …once these are up and running, the power company’s diesel generators can be turned off...and used as standbys." Keith feels that citizens need to be fully informed on solar and wind power. Keith and his partner Tyrone Fowler, are currently engaged in an information campaign, mostly on the Family Islands, on solar and wind systems – the way of the future.